The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has called on the private sector to partner with government to actualise Ghana’s industrial and trade ambitions, warning that policy alone cannot deliver the desired economic transformation.
She made this statement at the Kwahu Business Forum 2026 on Saturday, April 4th, at Mpreaso in the Eastern Region.
She said the forum’s theme, “The Future of Business: Scaling Up Local Enterprise,” reflects a precise diagnosis of Ghana’s industrial development, underscoring the capacity of Ghanaian entrepreneurs to build viable enterprises across processing, manufacturing, services and trade.
Mrs Ofosu-Adjare stressed Ghana’s unique responsibility as host of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat to translate continental trade policies into tangible opportunities for Ghanaian businesses.
“None of these policies will deliver their intended outcome without private sector partnership with government,” she stated.
According to the Minister, the government is actively equipping local enterprises with rules of origin certification, tariff intelligence and market linkages to enable them to compete and win within the continental market.
She further announced the revitalisation of special economic zones, repositioning them as active industrial ecosystems oriented towards agro-processing and light manufacturing, rather than passive export enclaves.
President John Dramani Mahama, also present at the forum, announced plans to construct 60 hectares of irrigated farmlands to support year-round tomato production, alongside processing initiatives designed to prevent market glut and ensure adequate supply.
The forum also featured exhibition tours and panel discussions focused on key economic sectors.
Adwoa Koramah Anokye-Gyimah, ISD
